MARSEILLE, FRANCE - OCTOBER 27: Florian Thauvin of Olympique de Marseille runs with the ball during the UEFA Champions League Group C stage match between Olympique de Marseille and Manchester City at Stade Velodrome on October 27, 2020 in Marseille, France. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
According to Birmingham Live, Aston Villa target Florian Thauvin has admitted that his future may lie away from Marseille. The forward was linked with a return to the Premier League last summer and other clubs such as Leicester were interested in him.
Initially, Thauvin was sure of staying at the club but now with contract talks stalled, he has said that he does not know where his future lies. It is being said that Marseille could demand a rather sizable fee of £28million for him in January.
Born in France, Thauvin spent time at the academies of US Orleans and Grenoble Foot before joining SC Bastia on a free transfer. Two years later, he was signed by Lille but failed to make a single appearance. However, he excelled in his final season with Bastia and earned a move to Marseille in 2013.
Newcastle United signed him after he impressed with Marseille but he endured a torrid time at Tyneside, making just 16 appearances before returning to France. However, since then, the 27-year-old’s career has scaled to greater heights.
He managed to score 15 league goals in 2016/17 and followed it with 22 goals and 11 assists in the following campaign, where he finished as the second-highest scorer in the league (source – Transfermarkt).
He continued with the fine form in the 2018/19 campaign, scoring 16 goals. But a major injury in the following season put him on the sidelines. Thauvin was also a part of the French squad which won the World Cup in 2018.
Aston Villa have shocked quite a few people this season with the results they have managed to secure. Sitting pretty at 7th, the Villans tore apart Liverpool and Arsenal by scarcely believable scorelines.
New signings Ollie Watkins and Ross Barkley have settled well into the side, becoming vital members within a short while. While the trio of Grealish, Watkins and Barkley have combined well, the right-wing remains a position that could use a better player.
Trezeguet, Bertrand Traore and Anwar El Ghazi are yet to nail down their spot. The addition of Florian Thauvin here can solve this issue right away for manager Dean Smith. He is a natural right-winger who likes to cut in with his left foot. He can also play as an attacking midfielder, second striker and as a left-winger.
The player has carried on his form from last season and has lit up Ligue 1. Aston Villa should return for the prolific winger in January because it would complete their attack and add a bit of balance to it. The trio of Grealish, Barkley and Watkins would greatly benefit from his signing.
